Letters, November 1, 2016

In May last year, we were privileged to see Hairspray performed by Blackpool & Fylde Light Opera Company, with students from Blackpool Sixth – and what a brilliant production it was too.

So when reading in the Gazette (October 26) about the international stage version of the same musical that will run at the Opera House next September (2017) and will have us “dancing in the aisles”, it got me wondering why does the press get people into a frenzy before a show has even arrived?

We never danced in the aisles during last year’s production, and no one even attempted it because we enjoyed the show, the talented performers and the music, so why would we want to dance?

Having enjoyed ‘Joseph and his blah blah’ last February, it was spoilt by reprises at the end, with numbers sung over again, the audience stood up clapping along from our seats (we under duress) then some of the cast panning out into the aisles, back on stage again and Joe McElderry shouting to the audience: “DO YOU WANT ANOTHER SONG?”

“Oh for goodness sake give it up!” we thought, while the rest of the audience all shouted back, “YES!”.

That was it, made our escape, glad to get out and with the feelgood factor after the show ruined!

So Hairspray next year? Not so sure!

Clifford Chambers

Ashton Road

Blackpool

EUROPE

We didn’t believe the doom and gloom

It worries me some of the intemperate language used post the EU referendum.

And I don’t mean hate crime abuse directed at immigrants, but that directed at those of us who supported Brexit!

We’ve been called all names under the sun, from racists to little Englanders, while the London-based metropolitan elite sometimes give the impression that we’re a bunch of uneducated Northerners.

In fact we simply didn’t believe the ‘doom and gloom’ propaganda of the Remainers, feeling that, as one of the strongest economies in the world, we didn’t have to be tied to other European nations but could make our own deals.

At the same time we wanted power devolved as closely to the people as possible.

As for immigration, we happily accept genuine refugees escaping hardship and war, but don’t want a free border which has allowed for unlimited economic migration while unemployment has stayed high.

We can’t tell what the future will bring, but we mustn’t let Britain be talked down by the Europhiles.

Tim Mickleburgh

via email

HEALTH

Charge parents to drop kids at school

I have an idea for addressing the problems of childhood obesity and parking mayhem around schools and help cash- strapped councils.

There should be red line road markings for a 200m radius centred on all schools and councils should charge parents £52 per year for a pick-up/drop-off permit.

The result would be more kids would have to walk to school, or at least walk 800m a day, councils or schools would get some money to spend, and residents who live adjacent to schools would be able to access their drives.

Traffic in general will be eased during the twice daily school run rush hour, saving journey times and reducing air pollution and it would get parents exercising as well.

A win, win, win situation.

R Spreadbury

via email

CRISIS

We should reach out a hand of humanity

Day after day we hear of people, many of them children, dying in the sea, fleeing war-torn countries in Africa and the Middle East.

Contrary to popular belief, these refugees are not leaving their homes for a better life or to exploit the benefit system of the UK, they are leaving in an attempt to stay alive. Who would embark on such a perilous journey if they could see any other way?

However, many countries in Europe including, I am ashamed to say, Britain, seem unwilling to help.

In the 1930s, when Hitler came to power in Germany, there must have been many people, good people, not racists, people just like us who said: “Things can’t be bad for the Jews, they don’t need to come here, we’ve got our own problems.”

How did they feel, those nice people, those people just like us, when, in 1945, they saw on the cinema screen, the horrors that had been afflicted on the opponents of the Nazis?

Today, because of the power of modern technology, we can see all too well the horrors the refugees are fleeing. I know that we do have our problems here with all the Government cuts, but we do not live in an area so ravaged by conflict that we have to flee for our lives.

Can we not, at least, in the name of common humanity, reach out the hand of friendship to those less fortunate?

Jean Withers

address supplied

CRISIS

Refugees could use abandoned buildings

Recently I walked down Palatine Road towards Central Drive. I counted 10 dilapidated buildings, what I observed to be totally abandoned, one completely burnt out, a shell.

May I proffer though possibly a radical solution. Suppose the council could take control of these properties, then apply to government for grants to equip them as homes for the refugees, a humanitarian gesture, thus solving a big headache for Blackpool council.

If successful many more all over Blackpool, just a thought.

Kevin Gooder

Clinton Avenue

Blackpool

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